The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), a registered charity established in 1898, is a centre of excellence in tropical medicine, conducting leading-edge research and teaching over 400 postgraduate medical students every year. LSTM has recently expanded with the construction of the Centre for Tropical and Infectious Diseases (CITD), a £23 million research and development facility dedicated to the development of new drugs and pesticides to combat some of the world’s deadliest diseases.
With this expansion, LSTM decided to replace and upgrade its telephony infrastructure to deliver uniform, high quality telephony across all sites. Einion Holland, director of administration and support services for LSTM was responsible for this telecoms project and engaged independent consultants to select a supplier, with a tender published through the OGC (Office of Government Commerce) Supplier Framework.
Freedom impressed LSTM from its initial presentation. It was aware that the solution needed to be in place well in advance of the official opening by the Princess Royal of the CITD which was set for July 2008. The Freedom team conducted cabling surveys, IPT audits and data investigations on the existing data network to ensure that the infrastructure was tested and stable before defining the IPT solution for the LSTM.
Freedom was awarded the contract and recommended installing Alcatel-Lucent’s Omni-PCX Enterprise Communications solution designed for medium to large-sized organisations, combining traditional telephony with support for IPT and multimedia communications. The solution would accommodate the various existing telephony systems in place and cover its sites across Liverpool, including its main centre at Pembroke Place, the new CITD and satellite offices at Anson Street and Seymour Terrace.
The solution was installed well before the official launch, with Freedom recognised for the professionalism of their planning, installation and post-installation support. All employees working for LSTM now have their own class of service, voicemail and unique user access rights irrespective of their location or voice system used.
ICT administrators at LSTM use Alcatel-Lucent’s OmniVista 4760 software accessed through a web browser, enabling effective monitoring and easy management of changes. The Alcatel-Lucent Omni-PCX Enterprise is easily scalable and can adapt to future requirements with the addition of extra licenced modules to include unified communications, web-based home working and fixed-to-mobile communications.
The LSTM has also seen call costs fall by using Freedom to ensure the organisation receives lowest cost call rates. It also enables customisable telephone bills.
Einion Holland, director of administration and support services, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, commented:
“We were impressed by the flexibility of Freedom’s recommended solution which copes with the complexities of our sites. Freedom was professional throughout, from the initial meeting, through to the installation and handover of the project. It all went through without a hitch thanks to our team and our partners at Freedom.”
James Vernon, senior business development manager, Freedom, added:
“It was clear with the first meeting with LSTM that this was a highly visible procurement exercise with the royal opening looming. We made sure that nothing was left to chance and this approach paid off. We are delighted to have worked with the team at LSTM on this exciting project.”